Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students

Description
The scheme "Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students" was launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme aims to upgrade the merit of Scheduled Caste students by providing them with facilities for all round development through education in residential or non-residential schools, addressing their educational deficiencies that prevent them from taking advantage of reservation quotas in technical and professional courses. The scheme provides remedial coaching to remove deficiencies in school subjects and special coaching to prepare students for competitive examinations for entry into professional courses like Engineering and Medical.

Benefits
• ₹25,000/- per student per year with the following breakdown:
• ₹15,000/- per student per year comprising -
• Boarding and Lodging Charges: ₹900/- per month for 10 months = ₹9,000/- (for residential school students only)
• Pocket Money: ₹300/- per month for 10 months = ₹3,000/-
• Books and Stationery: ₹3,000/-
• ₹10,000/- per year per student -
• For honorarium to Principal, Experts and other incidental charges.
• Reader Allowance: ₹200/- per month for blind students in classes IX to XII.
• Transport Allowance: ₹100/- per month for disabled students not residing in hostel within educational institution premises.
• Special Pay: ₹200/- per month for hostel employees assisting severely orthopaedically handicapped students.
• Escort Allowance: ₹100/- per month for severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability.
• Allowance: ₹200/- per month towards extra coaching for mentally retarded and mentally ill students in classes IX to XII.
• *Students must maintain regular attendance and academic performance as monitored by school authorities.
• *Students must complete the full coaching program from Class IX to XII to derive maximum benefit.
• *Compliance with the transparent selection and monitoring process established by State Governments.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant must be a Scheduled Caste student.
2. - The applicant must be studying in classes IX to XII.
3. - The applicant must be enrolled in schools selected by the State Government under the scheme.
4. - The applicant may be enrolled in class X or XI if he/she has shown excellent performance in the previous examination and missed entry at class IX level for any reason.
5. - The applicant must be from districts selected based on highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts (for new selections from 2014-15 onwards).
6. ***Preference***
7. - Girls students are given equal preference with awards allocated in 50:50 ratio between boys and girls.
8. - Unutilized awards by girls may be used by boys and vice-versa.
9. - At least 3% representation for disabled Scheduled Caste students wherever possible.
10. <br>

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: Identification of Eligible Districts and Schools
Offline
State Governments select 2-3 districts having highest Scheduled Caste population and identified as Educationally Backward Districts, with priority given to districts with lower literacy rates.

Step 2: Step 2: School Selection Process
Offline
States select schools with necessary facilities for all-round development, adequate hostel facilities, and consistent good academic results, particularly in rural areas including Kendriya Vidyalayas with hostel facilities.

Step 3: Step 3: Student Selection Process
Offline
State Governments conduct transparent and fair selection of Scheduled Caste students studying in classes IX to XII, with provision for enrollment in classes X or XI for students with excellent previous performance.

Step 4: Step 4: Application Processing
Offline
Selected students are enrolled through the State Government's established process ensuring equal opportunity for boys and girls (50:50 ratio) and at least 3% representation for disabled students.

Step 5: Step 5: Monitoring and Database Creation
Offline
State Governments prepare database of beneficiaries integrated with Unique Identification Authority of India by embedding Aadhaar numbers and using Unique Identification Authority of India enabled bank accounts for scholarship crediting.
*The admission and selection process is left to the discretion of concerned State Governments who ensure total transparency and fairness in identification of coaching institutions and beneficiary students.
Grievance Redressal / Help & Support
State and District level Grievance Redressal Officers are designated to address scholarship-related grievances of students.

Required Documents
• Caste Certificate
• Academic Records of Previous Classes
• School Enrollment Certificate
• Identity Proof
• Address Proof
• Disability Certificate (if applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the total financial assistance amount provided per student annually under this educational support program?
A: Each eligible student receives a package grant of ₹25,000/- per year, which includes ₹15,000/- for boarding, lodging, pocket money, books and stationery, plus ₹10,000/- for coaching-related expenses.
<br>

Q: Can students with disabilities receive additional financial support beyond the standard package amount offered to regular beneficiaries?
A: Yes, students with disabilities are eligible for additional grants including reader allowance of ₹200/- per month for blind students, transport allowance of ₹100/- per month, and extra coaching allowance of ₹200/- per month for mentally challenged students.
<br>

Q: Is it possible for a student to enroll in this coaching program at class 10 or 11 level instead of starting from class 9?
A: Students may be enrolled in class 10 or 11 if they have shown excellent performance in previous examinations and missed entry at class 9 level for any reason.
<br>

Q: How many years of continuous coaching support can a student expect to receive through this educational enhancement initiative?
A: Students receive four years of continuous coaching support from class 9 to class 12, ensuring sufficient time for addressing educational deficiencies and competitive exam preparation.
<br>

Q: What specific subjects and areas are covered under the remedial coaching component of this merit upgradation program?
A: Remedial coaching focuses on removing educational deficiencies in linguistic skills, Science and Mathematics, while also promoting proper study habits among Scheduled Caste students.
<br>

Q: Are there any special provisions or preferences given to girl students during the selection process for this coaching scheme?
A: Awards are allocated in a 50:50 ratio between boys and girls, with unutilized awards by girls being transferable to boys and vice-versa to ensure optimal utilization.
<br>

Q: What percentage of seats are reserved for students with disabilities in this educational support program for merit enhancement?
A: The target is to include at least 3% representation for disabled Scheduled Caste students wherever possible, ensuring inclusive participation in the coaching program.
<br>

Q: Which districts are prioritized for implementing this merit upgradation scheme for Scheduled Caste students seeking educational advancement?
A: Priority is given to 2-3 districts with highest Scheduled Caste population that are identified as Educationally Backward Districts, particularly those with lower literacy rates.
<br>

Q: How is the scholarship amount disbursed to beneficiaries under this centrally sponsored educational coaching scheme?
A: Scholarship amounts are disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer system using Unique Identification Authority of India enabled bank accounts to ensure timely and correct payment to beneficiaries.
<br>

Q: What type of special coaching is provided to prepare students for competitive examinations in professional courses like Engineering and Medical?
A: Special coaching is organized specifically for competencies required by professional institutions, conducted on Sundays, holidays, and during summer/winter vacations with expert-designed syllabi.
<br>

Q: Can students avail both remedial coaching and special coaching simultaneously under this educational merit enhancement program?
A: There is no bar for any student to avail coaching for both purposes, allowing students to benefit from both remedial and special coaching simultaneously.
<br>

Q: What are the boarding and lodging arrangements provided to students enrolled in residential schools under this coaching scheme?
A: Residential school students receive boarding and lodging charges of ₹900/- per month for 10 months totaling ₹9,000/- annually as part of their package grant.
<br>

Q: How many fresh students are covered annually under this centrally sponsored merit upgradation scheme for Scheduled Caste learners?
A: A maximum of 2,050 fresh students are covered annually under the scheme, with implementation across 19 States and Union Territories.
<br>

Q: What provisions exist for students who need escort assistance due to severe physical disabilities in this educational support program?
A: Severely handicapped day scholar students with lower extremity disability are eligible for escort allowance of ₹100/- per month to facilitate their participation in the coaching program.
<br>